Namaqua 4x4 Eco Trail

**CraigWatt** · 2022/03/06, 01:43 PM

Out of interest why can this trail only be done East to West?

It's probably to do with two way congestion on long narrow stretches, but Baviaan's doesn't have the same restriction for example (which I did do East to West).

I was quite keen to do it last year on my way from Port Nolloth to Onseepkans but the book I had with me said it could only be done East to West.

Also, I didn't have the permit. The book, unhelpfully didn't say where to get one, and I asked SAPS both ends (who patrol the route occasionally apparently) didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

**Markus and Zelda** · 2022/03/21, 10:13 PM

Subscribed

**mufie** · 2022/03/21, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by CraigWatt

Out of interest why can this trail only be done East to West?

It's probably to do with two way congestion on long narrow stretches, but Baviaan's doesn't have the same restriction for example (which I did do East to West).

I was quite keen to do it last year on my way from Port Nolloth to Onseepkans but the book I had with me said it could only be done East to West.

Also, I didn't have the permit. The book, unhelpfully didn't say where to get one, and I asked SAPS both ends (who patrol the route occasionally apparently) didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

Trail can be done in both directions, confirmed

**GerrieB** · 2022/05/13, 04:20 PM

We're planning to do the Pella-Vioolsdrift route in reverse (not really in reverse gear!) and I need to plan regarding extra diesel. What is the total distance, and are there any fuel stations between Vioolsdrift and Pofadder?

**mufie** · 2022/05/13, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by GerrieB

We're planning to do the Pella-Vioolsdrift route in reverse (not really in reverse gear!) and I need to plan regarding extra diesel. What is the total distance, and are there any fuel stations between Vioolsdrift and Pofadder?

The only fuel is at Steinkopf (about 75km down and 75km back) and maybe at Klein Pella if they have fuel.

**GerrieB** · 2022/05/13, 05:19 PM

[QUOTE=mufie;4880414]The only fuel is at Steinkopf (about 75km down and 75km back) and maybe at Klein Pella if they have fuel.[/QUOTE

But fuel at Vioolsdrift? Total distance to Pofadder? Google and T4A don't really help much.

**Rudi P** · 2022/05/13, 05:38 PM

[QUOTE=GerrieB;4880430]

Originally Posted by mufie

The only fuel is at Steinkopf (about 75km down and 75km back) and maybe at Klein Pella if they have fuel.[/QUOTE

But fuel at Vioolsdrift? Total distance to Pofadder? Google and T4A don't really help much.

There is no fuel at Vioolsdrift, only a small shop. We went across the border into Namibia for a few km’s and got our fuel there. Border officials assisted by not charging the road tax. Was still a schlep as you had to go through both border posts in and again out. Unsure of your other questions.

**maddad** · 2022/05/13, 06:48 PM

Hi ,

I did the trail east to west end july 2021, this was around trip from Cape Town to Augrabies , filled up Poffadder then hit trail along Orange river , Viooldrift top up supplies then into Richterveld , down to Port Noloth and along the coast back to Cape Town.
The route can be done in reverse depends on preference.
Poffadder to Viooldrift about 300km depending on site seeing/ driving around.
Viooldrift into Richterveld could see another 300/400km , also dependent on activities.
Fuel on the eco trail is nil so fill ups would be either Poffadder starting east or Steinfopf on the west.
I had one jerry can filled for emergency which was not needed.

**shfish** · 2022/05/13, 08:32 PM

I also did the route East/West a couple of years ago. The route is theoretically 250 kms or thereabouts. I got horribly lost and ended up doing about 450 kms . There are no fuel stops on the route between Pella and Vioolsdrift.
You can have as much satellite navigational equipment as you like but there's still a good chance of getting lost - new tracks are created all the time. So have fuel for 600 kms including a lot of LR driving.